He's done it time and time again – and Sam Saunders says he cannot get enough of proving people wrong.

Not for the first time in his Brentford career, Saunders' days at Griffin Park looked numbered this season, having made just one appearance before November, and then having to make do with two months of cameos off the bench.

He said: “When I came in against Middlesbrough it raised a few eyebrows. People wrote me off again like they always do, but it's part and parcel of being a footballer. You've got to keep proving people wrong.

Long-serving: Saunders has been a Bee for seven years (Image: Action Images / Andrew Boyers)

"I've been doing that since I was released at 16 and done it about a thousand times since. I enjoy proving people wrong, and hopefully I've shown I can do it at this level, although I need some games sharpness and fitness wise.

“I feel like I've got more lives than a cat, but if you keep working hard and having a go, sometimes you get a bit of luck. I've had some luck with some people being injured, out of form or leaving, so it gave me that opportunity.

“I'm not the quickest in the world, so I've got to think about the game. There's lots of good young talent, but sometimes they need some guidance, positional sense and game management. I like to think I bring that, along with other qualities.”